ArticleBMJ open2026
Offloading orthotic insoles on healing of diabetic foot ulcers: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a complication of uncontrolled and long-standing diabetes, often associated with peripheral neuropathy, and can result in amputation, prolonged hospitalisation and reduced quality of life. Orthotic insoles are commonly used to redistribute plantar pressure, offload the ulcer site and potentially accelerate wound healing. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of offloading insoles in the healing of DFUs, with a focus on ulcer size reduction, recovery time, pain management, pressure redistribution and limb function, such as balance. A secondary objective is to compare the effects of different insole materials on healing outcomes, including satisfaction level towards the insole and overall quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Google Scholar. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) will be prioritised, while non-randomised studies that meet the eligibility criteria will also be considered. Studies published in English between 2000 and 2026 will be included. Eligible studies must assess the impact of orthotic insoles on DFUs, with outcome measures including pain intensity, pressure redistribution, wound healing and recovery time. Methodological quality will be assessed using the PEDro scale, while the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) will be applied as appropriate. Data will be extracted using a standardised form. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review does not require ethical approval. The results will be shared through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420251145215.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.